Thermodynamics
Undergraduate · Engineering
Syllabus focus
Topics typically covered
Standard syllabus
Concepts and first law
- Systems, properties, state, and equilibrium
- Zeroth law and temperature scales
- Work and heat as path-dependent interactions
- First law for closed and open systems
- Enthalpy, internal energy, and specific heats
- Property tables: steam and ideal gas models
- Ideal gas law and compressibility factor intro
- Boundary work for piston-cylinder processes
- Cycle analysis: net work and thermal efficiency
- Steady-flow devices: nozzles, diffusers, turbines
Second law and entropy
- Heat engines, refrigerators, and heat pumps
- Kelvin-Planck and Clausius statements
- Reversible versus irreversible processes
- Carnot cycle and Carnot efficiency limits
- Entropy definition and Clausius inequality
- Isentropic processes and T-s diagrams
- Entropy generation and second-law efficiency
- Isentropic efficiency of turbines and compressors
- Third law and absolute entropy (intro)
- Exergy and irreversibility accounting (overview)
STEM / applied
Power and refrigeration cycles
- Rankine cycle: ideal and practical steam power
- Brayton cycle: gas turbine power plants
- Otto and Diesel cycles for internal combustion
- Combined cycles and cogeneration concepts
- Vapor-compression refrigeration cycle
- Absorption refrigeration (survey)
- Psychrometrics: moist air properties and charts
- HVAC processes on psychrometric charts
- Combustion stoichiometry and adiabatic flame temp
- Environmental impact: emissions and efficiency trade-offs
Applied thermodynamics in engineering practice
- Property estimation when tables are unavailable
- Software: EES, REFPROP, or similar property tools
- Energy audits and Sankey diagram interpretation
- Renewable integration effects on thermodynamic cycles
- FE thermodynamics topic mapping and drills
- Safety: pressure vessels and relief sizing awareness
- Lab demos: heat engine models and calorimetry
- Design problems: cycle modification for efficiency
- Real-fluid departures from ideal-gas behavior
- Case studies: power plant, engine, and HVAC systems
Study units
Each unit includes a study guide, worksheets, review, practice test, and answer key. One unit is free; subscribe for the full class.
- Concepts and first law
Systems, properties, state, and equilibrium
Coming soon - Second law and entropy
Heat engines, refrigerators, and heat pumps
Coming soon
Notes
Topics reflect common engineering syllabi at US colleges and universities. Exact order, depth, and applied emphasis vary by institution, department, and instructor.